By India Rochelle

Millennials: Revolutionary Voices of Reason And Every Employer’s Worst Nightmare

Millennials in the workplace spark one intriguing conversation. I’d be very modest to say that the rumors aren’t that bad, but it’s certainly not all that good. Though millennials are known for their innovative and tech savvy contributions to this day and age, they are getting backlash across employer networks about their nonchalant attitude towards employers and their need for incentives upon accomplishments. Employers are blaming parents and society for over-nurturing them so much. It’s been said that millennials are always looking for a reward for their efforts and when it’s not received, they’re ready to quit! Employees across the nation are asking what more do millennials want?

After carefully researching this trend or rather issue in the workplace, I could only come up with one answer. Millennials want to know employers appreciate their worth.

The way millennials’ are demanding more from employers is keeping companies, corporations, and franchises on their toes. Some employees have even started to include incentives like gym memberships, food, and parties in efforts of stroking the millennial ego and increasing their popularity amongst employees. But according to employers, it still isn’t enough to satisfy them.

With entrepreneurship being somewhat of a threat to employers all over the world, millennials feel they no longer have to be conformed to the typical order of college, job, and retirement. Especially if they are not truly happy with doing what the position entitles. Millennials know that their ideas are lucrative and see themselves as a valuable source to growth and expansion of many businesses and our future.

They believe that their productivity should not be measured by the hours they work, but the quality of which they perform their tasks. Growing tired of work feeling like “work,” they have voiced that they just want to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who can appreciate their ideas and enjoy the workplace. They yearn for a more fun, accepting, and social atmosphere at work that is similar to a second family or community.

As employers strive to figure out and meet millennials’ high demands, they must first come to understand that millennials just want personal freedom and an opportunity to bring their talents, creativity, and perspective to a place they spend most of their lives. They want to envision their future with a company that takes chances on change and encourages growth. To them, their mission is not about personal advancement, but the human advancement.

With the world constantly changing, millennials worry if businesses can keep up. Where there used to be a time when job seekers looked for employment and any position would suffice, new millennial revolutionaries aren’t just taking scraps. They are pushing employers to step up their game.

Entrepreneurship is dangerous to some corporations. But even knowing that, some are still stuck in their traditional ways. So much so that they refuse to cater to the idea of giving millennials what they quite frankly deserve. Their refusal has led to a spike in short-term and long-term leaves, employees quitting and terminations, and a decrease of engagement in work atmospheres.

I’m a millennial, so I can completely understand why we feel it’s necessary for change to happen. We watched our parents and the generation before us work long days and nights, unsatisfied with their jobs and only enduring just to make it. With the economy crashing in the early 2000’s we experienced a “work to survive” type of atmosphere and we are tired of it. We feel that if we are bound to work a job for the rest of our lives, why can’t the job be something that we look forward to everyday rather than what we dread?

Of course complying could mean stretching the budget for employers. It may be the leading reason why they are so apprehensive to accept the millennials revolutionary purpose. But nothing’s cheap. Taking a business to the next level is a risk for any business. The question that employers must ask themselves is if they never take the leap of faith, will their business still be as successful? Are they cheating themselves or missing out on an opportunity?

Namaste.

What do you think?

What’s your take on the millennials’ high demands in the workforce? Are they sensible? Revolutionary? Why or why not? Leave your perspective in the comments below. All opinions are welcome :)